Shloka 183
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
इत्यभिव्यक्तमेवं स पलितेनाभिभर्त्सित:,पलितने जब इस प्रकार स्पष्टरूपसे कड़ी फटकार सुनायी, तब बिलावने लज्जित होकर पुनः उस चूहेसे इस प्रकार कहा
ity abhivyaktam evaṃ sa palitenābhibhartsitaḥ
Bhīṣma said: “Thus, when the matter had been made plainly known and he had been sharply rebuked by the grey-haired elder, he became ashamed; and then, turning again to that mouse, the cat spoke in this manner.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Clear moral speech and firm correction (rebuke by an elder) can expose misconduct; the resulting shame is portrayed as a catalyst that can redirect a wrongdoer back toward honest engagement and ethical restraint.
After the grey-haired elder openly and sternly reprimands him, the cat feels ashamed and then addresses the mouse again—setting up the next part of the dialogue in the fable-like episode.